Today James and I had to take a little road trip.
We combined business with pleasure and visited some local museums and learned about the history of our state.

I had to travel on the road that used to take me to visit Lee at this prison. I didn’t have to actually drive past it today and I’m glad. It still surprises me how heavy those memories feel.
When I said tender I meant sore or painful–not precious!

It was the sorting facility where everyone went. Lee was incarcerated next to a man who viciously murdered his girlfriend and had a tattoo to show his glee about it. (shiver)

It was hot and smelly and old and nasty. To visit, we had to lean over a knee high table making our backs ache. The guards told us exactly where to sit and Lee wasn’t allowed to stand up.

He was only there until he was sorted and sent to a prison better suited for him. I don’t miss visiting at ANY prison but I definitely didn’t miss that one.

For awhile today, I wanted to pretend that I didn’t have any feelings or memories when I drove that road. A lot of times, I’d just love to pretend that never happened.

But God brought us through a horrible pit and placed us on the other side. To pretend it didn’t happen would be more comfortable for me, but I think I’d miss helping or encouraging those who need to know that God is there even when the dark valley includes prison.

Psalm 40:2 He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.